About 1834 Board Members: Shaping Leadership and Policy

The Board of Directors of the 1834 Foundation provides strategic leadership and oversight in support of the Foundation’s mission to promote civic engagement, historical preservation, and the empowerment of the next generation of community leaders. Composed of accomplished professionals from diverse sectors, including education, business, philanthropy, and public service. The Board brings a wealth of experience, insight, and a shared commitment to fostering equity, informed citizenship, and long-term impact.

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Velma Morgan

Co-creator of 1834 Fellowship

Velma Morgan Co-creator of 1834 Fellowship

Is an educator and advocate for gender and cultural representation in government and public policy. She has experience in creating and implementing policies and programs in the provincial government for over a decade.

While in government, she ensured that the voices of marginalized communities were reflected in the government’s policies and communications. She also helped to strengthen collaborative ties between racialized communities, youth and government in new and innovative ways.

As Chair of Operation Black Vote Canada, she is the architect of Black Women’s Political Summit, the first ever-Black Community Provincial Leaders’ and Municipal Townhalls. Municipal Bootcamp and “Seat at the Table” training for Black women interested in Municipal politics. She also co-created the 1834 Fellowship.

Velma has been involved in a myriad of community and not-for-profit organizations. Such as City of Toronto Canada 150 Committee, Jean Augustine Chair in Education, past Chair of Election Readiness, Equal Voice Toronto Chapter, National Board Member of Equal Voice, Black Experience in Toronto Project; Board Member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto, several board positions in the John Brooks Community Scholarship Foundation, advisory board, Innoversity – Roadmap 2030 conference, advisor and planning committee member, GTA Political Summit, Canadian Centre for Political Leadership.

A sought-after political and public policy commentator, Velma is featured on television, radio and in print. She has been featured on CBC’s Metro Morning and The House, and in various Canadian, Caribbean and British newspapers.

Her work has been recognized for her contribution to advocating for the inclusion and representation of women and Black Canadians in all orders of our government. Velma is the recipient of the John Brooks Community Foundation Scholarship Fund Community Service Award, the TNT Eagles Community Service Award, the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Volunteer Award, the Canadian International Black Women’s Enterprise 100 Black Women to watch 2015. 100 ABC women 2018, 2021 City of Toronto Bob Marley Award and 2021 BBPA Harry Jerome Awards.

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Semhar Tekeste

Director

Semhar Tekeste Director

Public Affairs and Communications Professional with expertise in developing strategies and materials that communicate complex policy issues. Extensive experience in fostering strong working relationships with stakeholders, senior officials and the greater public. Policy analysis experience includes advising on and developing communication tactics for issues management and stakeholder outreach on a national, regional and community level. Thorough knowledge and understanding of government approval processes and internal workings of Parliament Hill and the Public Service.

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Annamie Paul

Co-creator of 1834 Fellowship

Annamie Paul Co-creator of 1834 Fellowship

Is a lawyer and public policy advocate. She has held roles in the International Criminal Court, Canada’s Mission to the European Union, and as Leader of the Green Party of Canada. Annamie was the founder of the Canadian Centre for Political Leadership and is the co-founder of the 1834 Public Policy Fellowship for young Black Canadians.

Annamie is a Senior Fellow at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, a Senior Advisor to the Institute for Integrated Transitions, and a Board member of Baycrest Hospital and Apotex.

Annamie holds a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa. She is a Harry Jerome Award Recipient, Echoing Green Foundation Fellow, Action Canada Fellow and member of the Common Law Honour Society.

Ian Allen

Director

Ian Allen Director

With an interest in politics and government, Ian first gained public policy experience interning for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation under the Ontario Director of the CTF, and later served as Special Assistant to Canada’s Minister of National Defence &
Minister for Multiculturalism, the Hon. Jason Kenney, in the last Conservative government.

Ian currently serves as Chief of Staff to Ontario’s Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity of Ontario and formerly served as Director of Communications to the President of Treasury Board.

Ian is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where he earned his B.A. (Hons.) in political science, and is pursuing his Master of Arts degree in government through the Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Program. After completing his

undergraduate studies, Ian volunteered for a year as a teacher’s aide at Mott Haven Academy—a charter school in the Bronx, New York that strives to foster a love of learning in the community’s underprivileged youth.